I currently own a 2015 Boxster GTS, PDK with X73 among other things. Very happy with the car which is currently a weekend toy and a dozen HPDE days a year, serving double duty as both my wife and I drive it. We recently completed a 2000-mile road trip in the car, where I learned anything over 4 hours was a bit much (I’m 6’5”, so between the not-quite-ideal seat travel and the X73, it’s far from a GT car).

My wife is diving head first into HPDE, so we’ve decided to look for a 987.2 Cayman S for a bit more safety with harnesses and seats, at which point the Boxster will solely be used for nice-weather cruising, weekend trips to the Keys, etc.

I have the opportunity to move from the Boxster to a base 2015 Targa, with two things I wish the Boxster had - MT and heated/ventilated seats - for the car plus about $25k. The 911 would likely be more comfortable and I’d still have a Cayman for track duty, so it seems like the best of both worlds, but I can’t help to think that the Targa won’t be $25k “better”.

Curious if anyone has gone through a similar thought process and where you landed and why?

 

Take the Targa on a multi-hour test drive. It’s the only way to be sure that it meets your expectations of “more comfortable.”

Actually, that’s really the only way to be sure of anything (in this context.)

 

The Targa will be a lot more than $25k better! And if you are getting a Cayman so why have 2 of the same platforms?!

 

Well, the Cayman will be a track car with harnesses and seats, so it won't really be a "hey, let's take the Cayman to dinner tonight" sort of thing.

 

We went from a 718 2.0t Boxster to a 991.2 Targa GTS. They are very different in some respects but glad I’ve had them both. I will say this though, I have a 718 Spyder on order and we miss our Boxster. We are also keeping the Targa.

 

Appreciate the feedback all.

 

I own both a 2016 981S and a 991.1S. I did a 2500 mile trip in 981 last June. The 991.1S cabin is larger and more comfortable and it has better power/acceleration at 400 hp v. 325hp. But, the handling and agility of the 981S is superior to the 991S. The 981 is just more fun to drive because of the mid-engine chassis even with less hp. They are not the same car. So, it is a trade off and a very personal decision only you can make. Previously owned a 987 too. The 981 is a major upgrade over the 987. Spend a day driving the 991 then make a decision. Best wishes.

 

I'll agree that they are very different experiences. Enough to also say that defining if the 911 is $25k better is a personal decision.

I think to put it concisely, the 991.1 vs 981 discussion will ultimately break down to a "capable" vs "fun to drive" discussion. They're both capable, they're both fun to drive, but some prefer one or the other based on one of these categories.

 

991.2 S If you can only have one.
We sold a 2015 Boxster S to get the new 2017 991.2, then we missed the Boxster.
Found and bought a used 2016 981 GTS. Its been nice to have both, but given the total cost of having two toys am feeling
pretty guilty. Not having room for four cars in the garage, the daily driver now sits outside. Insurance, taxes, scraping snow
may not be worthwhile in my case.

 

Just wanted to provide an update, as I took the 991.1 base Targa for a spin. The additional interior space was very welcomed, and given it was a base with standard suspension vs my Boxster with X73, the ride was much less harsh. Two very different cars indeed, but I think I’ll eventually end up with a 991.1 Targa if I can pull the trigger on a Cayman for a track car.

 

I bought a brand new 991.2 gts. Fully modded it (tune, exhaust, ect). Sold it because something felt missing between the sound and performance of the turbo charged engine. I recently purchased a manual 991.1 Targa GTS. Driving perfection! All you need is an exhaust and you are good to go! My track car is a highly modded 997 gt3 so the targa fits my application well. Ying and Yang.

 

I made a similar decision last year when I went from my 987.2 Cayman S to my current 991.1 Carrera S. The Cayman was great and I enjoyed it very much, but the Carrera S was well worth the money. So much more comfortable on long trips, and for me, more fun to drive. And, 911..................